Official Community Plan Targeted Update


Richmond's Official Community Plan (OCP) sets the long-range vision for how the city plans to grow and change.  Last updated in 2012, the City is updating key areas of its OCP to better meet the needs of the community over the next 25 years.  The update focuses on housing, climate, equity and the environment with an emphasis on directing growth where it can benefit the community most, including transit-oriented villages that contribute to more complete, inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods.

In addition, the OCP update must address new legislation enacted by the Province that alters how municipalities, including Richmond, must plan for the future.  Learn more about the Provincial Housing Legislation Changes.

Latest News

At theMonday, February 9, 2026 meeting, City Council adopted the updated Richmond 2050 OCP Bylaw.  The updated OCP establishes long term land use planning to 2050 and beyond; however, provincial housing legislation introduced a mandatory OCP update schedule.

The legislation now governs how local governments evaluate housing needs and requires the findings to be reflected in the OCP.  The next iteration of a Housing Needs Report will be required by December 31, 2028 and every five years thereafter, with corresponding OCP and zoning updates following (2030).  While Richmond Council may direct the OCP to be updated more frequently, the minimum schedule for updates is legislated.  This is included in the timeline in Section 1 in the 2050 OCP Bylaw.

Further updates will be posted on our website and social media channels.

Related Documents Excerpts from the report's attachments:

How Richmond May Change

The first of two parts of the OCP update address the following:
  • Compact Transit-Oriented Development - New opportunities are provided inside and outside City Centre for diverse housing options near transit, shopping and amenities with the aim of improving residents' access to their daily needs, supporting more walkable, accessible and equitable neighbourhoods, and reducing car dependence and pressure on lands needed for jobs, farming and nature.
  • More Housing Options - New housing choices are encouraged, particularly including low-rise apartment buildings and townhouses along arterial roads and increased opportunities for market and below-market housing across the city.
  • New Neighbourhood Types - Conventional land use types (e.g., apartment) are replaced with five "neighbourhood types" (e.g., Local Villages) that aim to make the form and scale of new development more predictable and complementary to existing neighbours, while supporting new rental and below-market housing opportunities.
  • Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) - Improvements to Richmond's ESA Map and guidelines provide for greater accuracy and protection and enhancement of sensitive areas, while taking into consideration certain park and agricultural activities.

Next Steps

The second of two parts of OCP updates will address community equity, climate response, and environmental protection and enhancement and will be presented for consideration by City Council and the public in 2026.  Additional information will be posted as it comes available.

Prior Staff Reports and Public Engagement

Have questions about the OCP Update?
Contact our staff by email at:CommunityPlanning@richmond.ca